Lowrie Activated

Injured shortstop Jed Lowrie was activated from the 15-day disabled list today, following a rehab stint in Pawtucket. Lowrie has struggled with his surgically repaired wrist this season, causing him to lose his feel for the lumber.

Lowrie was successful in his latest trip to Pawtucket, hitting three home runs in his first two games after beginning his assignment on August 23rd.

The shortstop has played in just 19 games this season for Boston, hitting .143/.206/.232 with one home run in 63 plate appearances. His AAA numbers are a mixed bag, as he showed good plate discipline (13 BBs versus 13 Ks) and good power, while batting just .176.

9/8: Buchholz meets his old friend/foe

Clay Buchholz tangles with the Baltimore Orioles, who he handcuffed two years ago for a no-hitter... and whom handcuffed him the last time the two dueled on Aug. 2 when Clay gave up seven runs over four innings.

Testing the Papelbon Trade Theory

The popular rumor growing in MLB trade circles has Red Sox closer Jon Papelbon being traded in the offseason with Billy Wagner assuming closer duties for 2010. With the claims gaining steam, it's time to look at the Sox' possible 2010 bullpen scenarios.

The 2009 Jon Papelbon

Jon Papelbon hasn't been the same JON PAPELBON he was from 2006-2008. It's somewhat surprising that the baseball community has been as down on Pap as they have been, as he still has a 1.81 ERA and is 34/37 in save opportunities this season.

However, there has been a palpable decline in his numbers and rate indicators this season. While his strikeout rate has been stable since last season, as too has his velocity for the most part, his rising walk rate has been at the root of his relative "struggles" this season...

9/7: No more Sox

Today is the final game of the season against the accursed White Sox, stealers of Carlton Fisk. Josh Beckett has given up 12 home runs in his last four starts (!!!) while Mark Buehrle is 2009's Mr. Perfect. Curt Hennig would roll over in his grave if he knew that the wrong Sox had the 'Perfect' label. Can Beckett keep balls inside the Cell? If he wants a future job as prison guard, he better show it here.

9/6: Two young lefties duel

John Danks needs one more win to set a single-season career high in victories and move over .500 in his career. He'll be opposed by John Lester, who now is the Red Sox's career leader in strikeouts by a left-hander in one season. Should be fun.

Dice-K making another rehab start Wed.

Via Twitter, Amalie Benjamin (or as the FOXSports announcers would have you believe, 'Molly' Benjamin) says that Daisuke Matsuzaka will make another rehab assignment Wednesday -- the location to be determined.

The Dice Man started for Pawtucket on Saturday and was not pleased with his breaking ball command. Sox officials said they hoped to squeeze one more minor league start out of Matsuzaka.

After the start, Dice-K will rejoin the BoSox. It remains to be seen who he will replace in the rotation. The two candidates are obviously Paul Byrd and Tim Wakefield. My guess? Wakefield looks like he's still hurting a ton, so they'll give Wakefield a breather and work Matsuzaka in. What say you?

Red Sox beat out Yanks, Ole Miss for draft pick Renfroe

The rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees even extends to the major league draft.

Both the Yankees and Red Sox worked out David Renfroe about two weeks before the draft - where New York had the 29th pick in the third round and Boston had the 28th.

Boston pounced on Renfroe, 18, who reminds scouts of Casey Kelly - the Red Sox' first-round pick in the 2008 draft who's a pitcher and a shortstop.

9/5: Wakefield returns (triumphantly?)

Wakefield returns! Perhaps the Sox's most consistent starter when healthy, Wake will go against Gavin Floyd, who has a 2-0 career record against Boston.

Matsuzaka displeased with breaking ball command after rehab start

Even though he last pitched for the Boston Red Sox on June 19, Daisuke Matsuzaka expressed confidence about his ability to return to the major leagues.

"I think I can stand on the mound with 100 percent confidence," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter after allowing two solo home runs in 4 1/3 innings during a rehab start Friday night for the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Syracuse Chiefs. "I approached tonight's start like it was a regular-season game. I felt close to how I pitch in the regular season."

9/4: Two Sox go at it

Paul Byrd goes against Freddy Garcia; two pitchers both returning from the dead. Garcia held the Yankees to three runs in six innings last time out, so he may be rounding into form. The ChiSox certainly aren't; they're collapsing. A sweep would be nice; I still haven't given up hope for the division title.